By Yoga David
Hon Beatrice Odongo CECM of Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs presenting irrigation pumps to Kanyagwal Widows / Photos by Adams Claine.
A total of 116 widows from Kano – Ogenya, Kanyagwal in Nyando Sub – County gathered at the AIC Church Ogenya for a transformative empowerment session focused on building sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.
The event spearheaded by Nyanam Widows Rising International and Kickstart International was held in partnership with the Kisumu County Department of Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs.
Representing the department at the event, CECM Hon Beatrice Odongo encouraged the widows to continue organizing into strong focused groups to access more opportunities and strengthen their collective voice.
“This is what real empowerment looks like, sustainable, practical and rooted in community” She remarked.
As part of the initiative, 10 irrigation pumps were donated to two widows groups, accompanied by a hands-on training session on the operation and maintenance of the equipment equipping the participants with practical skills to enhance food production and income generation.
The activity is is a reflection of the growing partnership between the County Government and Nyanam, a restorative justice organization working with 3,300 widows across Kisumu and Siaya Counties.
Nyanam supports 135 widow-to-widow support groups through integrated programs focusing on holistic well being, sustainable livelihoods and leadership development.
The collaboration aims to equip widows with economic tools and knowledge, advocate for their rights at both county and national levels and promote the well being of widows and their children.
Through such initiatives, the County Government of Kisumu continues to advance its commitment to inclusive development ensuring no one, including widows is left behind.
